Intercession and the Role of Prayer in Christianity
Prayer is understood as direct address to God, an intercourse of the soul with the divine, not merely contemplation or meditation [3]. It can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and formal or spontaneous [3]. The practice of prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality, His ability, and His willingness to interact with humanity [3].
Intercession, a specific form of prayer, involves pleading with God on behalf of others [4]. The Bible provides numerous examples and commands for intercessory prayer. Jesus himself set an example by interceding for his disciples and others (Luke 22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24) [4]. Christians are commanded to pray for kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), for ministers (2 Corinthians 1:11), for the Church (Psalm 122:6), for all saints (Ephesians 6:18), and indeed for all people (1 Timothy 2:1) [4]. This includes specific groups such as the sick (James 5:14), persecutors (Matthew 5:44), and even enemies (Jeremiah 29:7) [4]. The "insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective" (James 5:16) [7].
The concept of intercession extends beyond human prayer to the divine persons of the Trinity. Christ's priestly office includes making continual intercession for believers [1]. While on earth, Jesus interceded for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Hebrews 5:7), and he continues this function in heaven, appearing in God's presence on their behalf (Hebrews 9:12, 24) [1]. This advocacy is founded on his perfect sacrifice, through which he secures the fulfillment of God's promises [1]. John Chrysostom notes that Christ, though now in his divine dignity, has not ceased to care for humanity and "maketh intercession for us," demonstrating his enduring love [13]. Calvin emphasizes that no human prayers are heard unless they rely on Christ as an advocate, and human intercession for one another does not diminish Christ's unique role but rather depends upon it [12].
The Holy Spirit also intercedes, as described in Romans 8:26-27 [2]. The Spirit acts as Christ's agent, working on the minds and hearts of believers, enlightening and quickening them [2]. Christ, as a "royal Priest," dispenses his Spirit from his throne, and both Christ and the Spirit act in concert, with Christ as the principal and the Spirit as his agent [2]. The Spirit's intercession is for believers, while Christ intercedes for them in heaven [2].
The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4), serves as a model for prayer [6, 8]. It is a succinct expression of faith, contrasting with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" (Matthew 6:7-8) [8]. This prayer compresses a wide range of needs and requests into a few petitions, embodying spiritual requirements in a simple and humble form [6]. Notably, Jesus frequently addressed God as "Father," a practice less common in Jewish prayer at the time [8]. The petitions within the Lord's Prayer, such as "may your name be kept holy," reflect concerns for God's honor, which can be profaned by human sin (Isaiah 29:22-24; Ezekiel 39:7) [8].
Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the "mystery" of prayer's efficacy [5]. The difficulty in understanding how prayer works often arises from the tension between the belief in unalterable general laws governing human life and the belief in human agency [5]. Nevertheless, the Bible provides guidance on the manner, time, and place of prayer, along with numerous examples [5]. The Apostle Paul frequently concluded his letters with prayers and blessings, often invoking the presence of the Lord Jesus with his people (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Philippians 4:23) [9, 10, 11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of the Spirit — (Rom. 8:26, 27; John 14:26). "Christ is a royal Priest (Zech. 6:13). From the same throne, as King, he dispenses his Spirit to all the objects of his care, while as Priest he intercedes for them. The Spirit acts for him, taking only of his things. They both act with one consent, Christ as principal, the Spirit as his agent. Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy Spirit works upon our minds and hearts, enlightening and quickening, and thus determini”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
- James “Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. -- James 5:16”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:23: (Gal 6:18). be with you all. Amen--The oldest manuscripts read, "Be with your spirit," and omit "Amen." Next: Colossians Introduction”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 10.5: Intercessor; for no man’s prayers are heard either in behalf of himself, or in behalf of another, unless he rely on Christ as his advocate. When we intercede for one another, this is so far from setting aside the intercession of Christ, as belonging to him alone, that the chief reliance is given, and the chief reference made, to that very intercession. Some person will perhaps think, that it will, therefore, be easy for us to come to an agreement with the Papists, if they place below the only intercession of Christ, all that the”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: condemn them? No one can, for it is no less a person than Christ who died and rose on their behalf.”—G.B.S. For, “It is Christ,” he says, “that died, yea rather, that is risen from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.” For though seen now in His own dignity, He hath not left caring for us, but even “maketh intercession for us,” and still keepeth up the same love. For He was not contented with being put to death alone. And this is a sign for the most part of very great love, to be doing not only what falls to”